Western Herald Article - Western Michigan University

Bump at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe

By Alyssa Herter
Western Herald


Bump, an electronic rock band native to Detroit, will play at Bell’s Eccentric Café located at 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave in downtown Kalamazoo Friday at 9:30 p.m. The show is 21 and up and cover is $6.

Bump’s music is a mesh of classic motown sound and modern electronic currents; they claim the genre “electronic science-fiction rock.” The band’s influences include motown artists, The Mars Volta, Pink Floyd, The Flaming Lips, Yes, and Eric Clapton; just to name a few.

“I think the people who see us for the first time are just taken back by just all the genres we cover and the overall energy we have. We go all over the place. A lot of people say we just cover the whole history of rock and roll from motown to R & B to techno … that’s something to shoot for,” said front man Yorg Kerasiotis.

“I like them a lot … they have a unique sound … I have never seen them before, but I would definitely be interested in seeing them in concert,” Bethany Alia said, a student at Western Michigan University.

Bump features Yorg Kerasiotis on vocals, guitar, and keys; Clint Carpenter on drums and sequencer; and Chris Sterr on guitar, lap steel and vocals. All three are original members and have been playing together since they started the band in 2001. Bryce Carroll-Coe has joined the band just for this tour, playing bass.
Since their first EP, “The Heart of Cadillac Square,” was released in 2004, the band has steadily continued to produce their music independently. They recently recorded a new album, “Astronomica,” which will be released in early 2009. They recently shot a music video for the single “Out of Reach” in Grand Rapids. The video was shot using a steady-cam that allowed for ultra straight shooting: the entire video was shot in a single take.

“It was awesome … every time I’m not on camera, I’m running behind the camera to set up in a different place,” Kerasiotis said.

Bump’s music has grown substantially in the years they’ve been together, said Kerasiotis.

“We don’t sound like the same band [from album to] album, but you can tell it’s Bump … it’s just a growth constantly,” said Kerasiotis.

Bump has played in Kalamazoo at the now defunct Club Soda as well as at Bell’s Eccentric Café. Their crowds at Bell’s have exceeded 300 people.

“It’s just something about Bell’s. There will be lulls in our careers, but at Bell’s that never really happens and they always treat us well … its just one of those places where it’s never really a miss,” said Kerasiotis.

The band has toured in 35 states and played over 600 shows. Their music has been met by much praise in Kalamazoo, Detroit, and beyond.

“Bump is unlike any other band I’ve come across in the city, and while they might not tuck into one of the handful of genre scenes more prevalent in Detroit, they’ve crafted a fan base that stretches from the state line across the country,” wrote Travis Wright of Real Detroit Weekly.

Kerasiotis has no problem with not conforming to one genre.

“I like it because it allows us to do something totally different all the time and not have to be caged in … I don’t necessarily want to make the same music on every album …We go for something totally different on every album, then live we kinda just incorporate the best of all that,” Kerasiotis said.

Bump plans to kick off their next year of touring with a show at the South by Southwest Music and Media Convention in Austin, Texas this March.

To find out more information about Bump, visit their Web site at http://www.bumpgroove.com.
For more information about Bell’s Eccentric Café call (269) 382-2332 or go to their Web site at www.bellsbeer.com.